While police officers tracked down and arrested their mother on suspicion of neglect, their colleagues organised a whip-round and dashed to the shops before they closed for Christmas to buy some last-minute gifts for the girls.

dash – to go or run somewhere very quickly:Olive dashed into the room, grabbed her bag, and ran out again.last-minute – happening or done as late as possible before something else happens:a few last-minute changes to the script

The incident happened in Gorton – the tough district of South Manchester which originally formed the backdrop of the Channel 4 comedy series Shameless.

in care – a child who is in care is being looked after by the government, not by their parents:When he was sent to prison, the children were taken into care.miss out – [phrasal verb] to not have the chance to do something that you enjoy and that would be good for you:Some children miss out because their parents can’t afford to pay for school trips

After a call was made about the trio’s welfare, police officers were sent round to the house and found them by themselves with no one apparently looking after them, no Christmas tree and no presents.

‘It was just something that anybody would have done,’ she said. ‘I love children and it wasn’t their fault that they didn’t get any presents.
‘It was amazing to see that everyone had been so generous.

would have done – сделал быfault – винаamazing – удивительный

‘I know this happens to thousands of people each year but I just couldn’t wake up on Christmas Day knowing that these girls weren’t going to get anything.’

to be going – одна из форм будущего времени: предсказание основанное на фактах или намерение.Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain.
He is going to study law next year.

Her boss, Andrew Massey, said: ‘Our staff have gone out of their way to try and make it feel like Christmas for some children and it is nice to see this kind of spirit still exists in this time.’

go out of your way to do something – to do something with more effort than is usual or expected:She went out of her way to make me feel welcome.spirit – дух

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Police were called to an address in Gorton on Christmas Eve following concerns for three children. A 29-year-old woman who was arrested for neglect has been bailed until February 11.’